Draft law amending the Competition Act and, in consequence thereof, amending other laws (609 SE) – third reading
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-06-17 13:14
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 20
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 28m
AI Summaries: 20/20 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Speakers discussed the third reading of the draft law amending the Competition Act, initiated by the Republic’s Government, and amending other laws related to it. The draft’s purpose is to adopt the European Union’s competition directive and to strengthen Estonia’s competition supervision, creating clearer rules and sufficient tools for the Competition Authority to quickly detect, prevent, and punish violations. A key point emphasized was that fair competition ensures better prices for consumers and an equal and effective situation for both consumers and businesses, particularly in the area of essential goods and services. Fears regarding large fines and the use of administrative proceedings were raised for discussion, but the aim was to clarify how funding and procedures would operate. Following extensive debate, a concluding thought was made and the draft was adopted as a law in the final vote.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 609 has been passed as a law in the Riigikogu with a majority vote (66 in favor, 15 against).
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker on the agenda was pid tjHwrGmYQb4; he gave several substantial speeches and drew attention to different aspects of the discussion, including the rapid implementation of competition rules and the protection of the rule of law. His position resonates as "other" – meaning not directly left- or right-wing, but a focus on the development of specific procedures and regulatory mechanisms.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Agenda item No. 1 concerns the third reading of Draft Act 609, initiated by the Government of the Republic, on the amendment of the Competition Act and the consequential amendment of other acts. It emphasizes that the adoption of the draft requires a majority vote of the Riigikogu membership, opening the debate on behalf of the Social Democratic Party faction, under the authorization of Jaak Aab.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab emphasizes that Estonia must effectively implement the European Competition Directive, focusing on competition enforcement and the prevention of violations through administrative procedures, in order to ensure fairer prices and better competitive conditions within the Estonian economy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi answered in the affirmative.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab claims that the new bill, which has been paused by the coalition, was drafted to serve the interests of monopolistic enterprises, restricts fair competition, and calls upon members of the Reform Party and Eesti 200 to stand firmly for competition and ensure the Competition Authority has better tools and sufficient resources.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab requested that the bill not be supported during the final vote, noting that the Social Democrats certainly would not support it, and stressed the necessity of finding a solution that is correct both in substance and in form.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi offered his thanks and announced that Peeter Ernits is representing the Estonian Centre Party Faction on the basis of authorization.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits labels the draft bill embarrassing and a threat, criticizes media manipulation, and urges people to vote for it, stressing that Estonia must function as a serious rule of law state, not a puppet parliament where daily expenditures can soar up to 3,000 euros.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks if the audience would like one more minute of extra time.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He says that he doesn't want to say anything anymore.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi's speech is very short, clocking in at just one minute.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits said he supports the draft bill, noting that while it is not ideal, it is the best option among the bad choices, and he will vote in favor of it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks you, and on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, Marek Reinaas asks for attention.
Marek Reinaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
More than one sentence: Marek Reinaas emphasized that Eesti 200 stands firmly for free competition, calling for the rapid transposition of the European Union directive and the restoration of functioning market competition. He insisted that penalties should be implemented only through misdemeanor proceedings, not as administrative sanctions, and criticized the six-year delay in adopting the directive, which puts the country at daily risk of incurring a 3,000-euro fine.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He confirms that the call will last three minutes.
Marek Reinaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Marek Reinaas said that it is crucial for Eesti 200 to decide quickly, and that this law—which the Competition Authority has helped draft and to which over 30 amendments were adopted—strengthens competition oversight, preserves the rule of law, and benefits both consumers and businesses.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker thanks the audience and gives the floor to Mario Kadastik on behalf of the Reform Party faction.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mario Kadastik said that the draft Competition Act must be passed to improve the competitive situation, and that this 'taximeter' must finally be stopped, ending the daily payment of fines—which amounts to about 3,000 euros per day—paying the bill, and, if necessary, amending the procedures later.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi declared the debate concluded and moved Bill 609 to the final vote, emphasizing that its adoption requires an absolute majority of the Riigikogu membership (at least 51 votes in favor), and called the chamber to vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Bill 609 has been passed into law; 66 Riigikogu members voted in favor, 15 voted against, and there were 0 abstentions.